CHAPTER VII. 



INCUBATING THE EGGS. 



Everything in perfect working order Everything well seasoned Preparing 

 the grilles Laying down ova Picking Beware of fungus Sediment Effects of 

 concussion Washing eggs The eye spots Embryo as seen through the microscope 

 The eggs commence hatching. 



R the incubation of ova it is very important that everything 

 should be in perfect working order. No work should be 

 delayed in the preparation of the hatching house for its important 

 duties. All painting and varnishing should be done three months 

 beforehand, so that it may be not only dry but thoroughly 

 hardened. Having completed all necessary work and alterations 

 in good time, the water should be turned on a month before 

 spawning time. All that will then be needful will be to cleanse 

 the hatching boxes and aqueducts prior to the laying down of ova. 

 However clean and pure the water may be this operation is 

 desirable, for some sediment will probably have accumulated, as 

 the niters have not been working, it being needless to put in the 

 filter cloths or screens until a day or so before the laying down of 

 ova. They should be all ready in good time so that nothing is 

 required but to slip them into their places. The filter tanks 

 should be cleaned as well as the hatching boxes, and before the 

 water is turned on again the filter screens should be in their 

 grooves, the lids should be on the hatching boxes, and all should be 

 in thorough working order. It is a great comfort to have all in 

 readiness beforehand, and is a necessity where good work is to be 

 done. There are many little items that require attention, and it 

 is only a case of exercising a little forethought, and not leaving 

 everything until the hatching season. 



